In August 2013, Israel agreed to release 104 Palestinian prisoners, which was the PA's precondition for renewing peace talks. The following is the PA celebrating the release of 21 of them, all of whom were convicted murderers.

PA TV announcer: "Here they are embracing President Mahmoud Abbas after long years behind the bars of the occupation, in which they were transferred between different prisons and cells simply because they are Palestinians who fought the occupation... They are the ones who were, and are still standing firm against the arrogance of the cowardly occupier, they still write glorious chapters of strength, courage and self-sacrifice... Here are President Mahmoud Abbas and the released prisoners waving to the audience. They are signaling victory with their hands, giving the sign to start the moment of truth (i.e., the celebrations)..."

[Abbas raises the hand of Issa Abd Rabbo who murdered two Israeli students who were hiking south of Jerusalem in 1984]

Minister of Prisoners' Affairs Issa Karake: "Even though the prisoners were released in the middle of the night, each one of you, the prisoners, is a sun lighting up Palestine's sky..."

PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas: "We welcome our heroic brothers who come from behind bars to the world of freedom. We congratulate ourselves and we congratulate all of you in this great celebration that unifies and returns our sons to us... Today is the second celebration, and in two months - the third celebration, and then the fourth, and then the fifth, until the prisons are emptied and our families return to us... There will be no agreement [with Israel] as long as there is one prisoner behind bars."